Professionally oriented network course as the basis for developing the computational thinking of future engineers

Abstract

The problem and the aim of the study. The need to study and use the capabilities of network technologies to improve general cultural and professional levels is becoming a condition for training highly qualified specialists. To effectively use computer devices and digital tools, computational thinking is required. The purpose of the study is to explore the possibilities of using a professionally oriented network course for the development of computational thinking of engineers. Research methods. Computational thinking is considered by the authors as a mental process consisting of the sequential execution of a set of actions: activation from human memory of a system of images of objects, and connections between them; formulation of the problem taking into account uncertainty factors; drawing up a solution algorithm and its effective implementation. 68 bachelors from the first year of the Russian State Agrarian University named after K. A. Timiryazev were involved in the study (Russian Federation). Training program 23.03.01 – “Technology of transport processes”, profile – “Digital transport and logistics systems of road transport”. The online training course “Computer Science and Networks in the Industry” was developed by E. V. Shchedrina, and presented on the Moodle platform. Registration certificate No. 24877 dated August 28, 2021. To diagnose and assess the maturity of computational thinking, the author’s testing materials are used. For statistical processing of data, the Pearson's chisquared test was used. Results. A characteristic of the network resource is the execution of all calculation tasks on a computer using application software. When working with course materials, engineers perform a sequence of actions characteristic of computational thinking: analyze the text of a professionally oriented task (formulates the task as a computational problem), decompose the problem; compose and implement an algorithm, perform its analysis and evaluation. Statistically significant differences were determined in the qualitative changes that occurred in the system of training specialists (χ2 = 6.842; p < 0.05). In conclusion, the positive aspects of using a professionally oriented network course for the development of computational thinking of engineers are highlighted (for example, to gain experience in formulating a problem taking into account the uncertainty of the future, students analyze a corporate network, determine a subnet mask for different conditions, etc.).